Suspender attachment



Patented July 26, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,636,712 PATENT OFFICE.

ELMER E. PECK, OF ITEOSHO, MISSOURI.

SUSPENDER ATTACHMENT.

Application filed September 24, 1925. Serial No. 58,225.

' use of a device such as I shall herein disclose is confined primarilyto suspenders, I have drawn some of the appended claims to cover moreextensive adaptations of the invention; for example in any typeofgarment where the additional elasticity afforded by the devicewould beof advantage, such as in the shoulder straps of overalls, etc.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a device ofthis type utilizing helical wire springs for giving the desiredelasticity. Such springs give a much larger range of elasticity thandoes elastic webbing, and these springs never deteriorate nor fatiguewith age such as is the case with elastic webbing.

A further object of the invention is to provideimproved means forlimiting the extension of the elastic means, so that the latter cannotbecome broken or strained through undue stress accidentally imposed.thereon.

Another, object is to provide improved means for enclosing andprotecting the elastic means.

- And a still further objectof the invention is tov provide improvedmeans for connecting the elastic or extensiblemeans to the adjacentportions of the suspender or garment. I

Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein I have illustrated apreferred embodiment of my invention:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of the back portion of a pairof susponders, illustrating my invention embodied in the strap portionsthereof,

Figure 2 is a view on a larger scale illustrating the device with thesheath or cover removed and the strap loops in section,

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the extensible meansshowing the placing of the sheath or cover-over the helical springs,

Figure Al is a fragmentary View illustrating a modified formoftransverse fastening member, and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating my inventionembodied, in

the front strap portions of a pair of suspenders.

Referring first to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rearportion of a pair of suspenders is represented by the shoulder straps8-9. In the ordinary construction of suspenders these straps generallycross in therear, at which point of crossing they are usually stitchedtogether, and the lower end portions 8* and 9 extend down to havefastening with buttons on the tops of the trousers through the buttonholes 11'11 in the ends of these lower strap portionsv 8 9. Intheembodiment now considered, I insert the present extensible or elasticattachment 12 in thesuspenders between the shoulder straps 89 and theirlower depending end portions 89'.

Tl 's extensible attachment or insert com prises two transverseattaching 1 members 1 i14 to which the ends of the strap. POI" tions aresecured. Each of these attaching membersl l preferablyv consistsof alength of wire bent into the obtuse V-shaped form shown in Figure 2. Theinclination of the sloping side portions of these wire connectingmembers is proportioned so that they will accord with the inclination ofthe strap portions .8 9 and 8-9 Formed in the ends of thesewireconnecting members are eyes orgloops 1:5. It will be noted that theouter portion of each eye or loop adjacent theouter end of the wireconnecting member, affords a relatively deep pocket, and

that the inner end of the wire lies in closer proximity to the slopingside portions.

Connected between theends of these transverse attaching members 14 aretwo helical springs, 16'.16, these springs. having eyes 17 whichareslipped into engagement with the loops or eyes 15 of the wire attachingmembers. These springs may be of any length and of any gauge wiresuitable to the requirements of the particular use. As illustrative of apreferred construction which has given good results, I construct thesesprings of phosphor bronze wire of approximately number twenty-two gaugeand having a length of'approximately three inches and an outsidediameter of five thirty-seconds ofian inch. This phosphor bronze wire isnon-rustable and substantially non-corrosive and is thereforeadvantageous, but it will be apparent that other materials may beemployed. 1

connected to the loops the endsof the strap portions 8-9 and 8"-9 arepassed around the sloping side portions of the wire connecting members14, with the outer edges of the straps engaging in the loops 15'. The

spacing between the end of theloop-and the main body portion of the wire'14 is just of sufficient size to receive the webbingconstituting thestrap portions 89 and 8'9 The subsequent placing of the looped ends 19of the strap portions in these loops ,15 substantially: closes the open.ends of the loops, so that at no time thereafter can the spring eyesaccidentally disengage themselves from the loops 15.

After the transverse connecting. members 14 and springs 16 have beenthus secured to the strap portions of the suspenders, a sheath of thesuspenders as above described, the

ends of the sheath are left unstitchedyand the lateral stitching 24-isonly carried down to the point illustrated in Figure L The upper openend of the sheath is then threaded or slipped over the suspenderportions BL-9, and after the sheath is iin position this'open upper endis stitched directly to the upper strap portions of the suspenders; asindicatedat 25 in Figure 1.- At this time i the open lower end ofthe'sheath is also tacked or stitched together at the central pointindicated at 26leaving the: two side openings 27 for the strap portions.8---9 to pass out of the sheath and to permitvertical movement of thelower-connecting member 14 in the sheath under the-reXtension. of

the springs 16. This lower pointof tacking or stitching 26 affords alimiting stop which will be engaged by the centerof the lower connectingmember 14 when the springs 16 have been extended a pre-determineddistance. This limiting means will prevent breaking or damaging of thesprlngs from any undue stress imposed on the Suspender straps.

Each side panel of the sheath may consist of a single ply of cloth withits edges turned in, or it may consist of two or more plies of anysuitable fabric. A. coarseisuitable cloth such as duck may be used nextto the springs,"

and a finer ornamented clotlrmay be used for the outside covering.Another practice which I find advantageous to keep thesheath 22 stiffandunwrinkled is to make one or more of these. plies of hair cloth orother suitable material, which will have sufficient stiffness to preventthe sheath from wrinkling up under the movements of the suspenders onthe wearer.

Figure 4 illustrates a modification wherein the ends of the transverseconnecting members '14 are formed with eyes or loops 15 of semi-circularform'instead of theerelatively long flattened form shown in Figure 2.,This semi-circular form of loop will bring the outer sides of thesprings 16 almost 7 directlybelow the outer ends of thetransverse-connecting members 14. In both Figures 2 and 4 I have shownthe springsrlfi extending parallel to each other, as this is thepreferred manner of connecting the 1 1 springs, but the springs may becrossed between the connecting members 14 if deslred.

In Figure 5 I have illustrated my invention embodied in the front strapportionsiof a pair of suspenders, One of such front strap portions isindicated at 8 ,-thislstrap portion in the conventional Suspender,usually having adjustable connectionwith a semi-circular leatherbuttoning 'member" 31,- having button. holes 32 in its lower ends forengaging over buttons in the front of the trousers. member may be madeof non-elastic webbing.

1 interpose one of my improved extensible attachments or inserts 12between each of these front suspender straps 8 and its respectivebuttoning member 31'. In this form" the transverse connecting members 140011- sist of straight lengths of wire having eyes or loops 15jturnedover at their ends simto Figure 2.v The strap portion 8 is deny it -:edaround the upper connecting wire 14 to form a loop 34, this loop havinga con volitionalv buckle 35 9. 61135 end to p'ermitthe adjustment of thelength of the strap 8 by varyingthe length of the loopwhich is passedaround the upper connecting wire 14.

Instead of leather, this buttoning The lower connecting member 14 ispassed through a tube. 36, generally constructed of sheet metal, andthrough the lower portion of this tube passes the buttoning member 31.

The engagement of the strap portion S' inthe loops or eyes15 at theupper end, and

the engagement of the tubular member 36in" the eyes 15 at thelower endsubstantially fills the open ends of these eyes and thus preventsdisengagement of the springs, in-

the same manner described of Figure 2. I The 7 extreme ends of the upper.loops'or eyes 15 are turned downwardly as indicated at 37 to avoidtearing or catching in the fabric of the loop 34 around the transverseconnecting member 14..

The sheath 22 is constructed similarly to the sheath before describedexcept, in the as this loop is being adjusted iii i presentinsta-nce,after the open upper end of the sheath has been threaded or slipped overthe springs this upper end is tacked or stitched to the ends of the eyesor loops 37,

or to the eyes17 in the ends of the spring,

so that. the fastening of this upper end of the sheath Willnot interferewith the adjustments-of the loop taround the upper con-.

One or more plies of this sheath may also.

be constructed of hair cloth to maintain a desired stiffness if desired.7

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 or in the embodiment shown in Figure5 a pad 39 may be insertedbetween the two side portions of the sheathand between the two springs 1616 to fill the opening between thesesprings. Such a'pad would be of a thickness approximately equal to thediameter of the springs and would serve to keep the intermediate area ofthe "sheath smooth and flush with the outer edges thereof sheath;

It will beobviou's that the springs 16 will have a life far, exceedingthat obtainable from any elastic fabric webbing. Furthermore thesesprings will give a range of ex,- tension exceeding that of any elasticwebthus preserving, a neat appearance of the bing, particularly afterthe webbing has aged somewhat. Hence, by'the use of this extensibleinsert or attachment 12 I am enabled to dispense entirely with elasticwebbing in a SLlSPGIlClBT or garment of this type and to use plainordinary webbing, leather or any other material, thereby obtaining asuspender or garment which will'have a much longer life and which willgive a greater sense of comfort to the wearer than is obtainable withsuspenders as now made. The use of two springs is desirable in each ofthese inserts or attachments for giving a desired balance to the strapportions in the movement of the shoulders, but I consider it within thebroad purview of my invention to utilize a single helical wire spring.The enclosing of these springs or spring in the sheath 22 removes anyobtrusive appearance of the metallic springs and this sheath will alsohave a cushioning or padding quality preventing all possibility of thesprings chafing the wearer. The outer side of the sheath 22 may receiveany decorative effect desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of two shoulder'straps,,an inverted V-shape'd wire connecting member, said shoulderstraps being looped about the sloping side portions of said wireconnecting member, eyes formed in. the outer ends of saidwire-connecting member, helical springs having their upper ends hookedinto said eyes and extending downwardly therefrom in substantiallyparallel relation, a pair of fastening extensions for fastening to agarment, a second connecting member secured to said fasteningextensions, said helical springs beingconnected at their lower ends tosaid second connecting member, a sheath- I enclosing said springs andcomprising front and rear plies of material stitched at their upper endsto said shoulder straps andstitched along their lateral edges through apart of their length, the unstitched lower ends of said plies. defininglong side openings therebetween through which said fastening extensionspass, and means connects ing the front and rear plies of said sheathbetween said fastening extensions at the lower end of said sheath forlimiting the extensible movement of said springs.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of an uppertransversely 'ex-.

tending wire attaching member having loops bent downwardly from itsends, a lower transversely extending wire attaching member having loopsbent upwardly from its ends, two helical coil springs having eyes attheir upper and lower ends, the eyes at the upper=ends of said springsbeing connected with the loops of said upper attaching member, and theeyes at thelower ends of saidsprings being connected with the loops ofsaid lower attaching member, shoulder strap means engaging with saidupper attachmg member, fastening extension means connecting with saidlower attaching member, and a sheath enclosing said springs andcomprising front and rear plies of pliable material stitched alongtheirlateral edges through a part of their length, the unstitched lower endsof said plies defining side openings in the sheath through which passessaid fastening extension means.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of an upperinverted V-shaped wire attaching member having loops bent downwardlyfrom its ends, a lower V-shaped wire attaching member having loops bentupwardly from its ends, two helical coil sprlngs having eyes at theirupper and lower ends, the eyes at the upper ends of said springs beingconnected with the loops of said upper attaching member, and the eyes atthe lower ends of said springs being connected with the loops of saidlower attaching member, shoulder strap means engaging with said upperattaching member, fastening extension means connecting with said lowerattaching member, a sheath enclosing said springs and comprising frontand rear plies of material stitched along their lateral edges through apart of their length, the unstitched lower ends of said plies definingside openings therebetween through which pass said fastening extensionmeans, stitching connecting-the front'and rear plies of said sheathatthe lower end thereof for limiting the extensible movement of saidsprings, and pad interposed between said springs within said sheath.

l4. .In a device of. the class wireattaching member having loops bentdownwardly from its ends, a lower V-shaped nected with the loops'o-fsaid lower attach ingmember, shoulder, strap means engaging described,the :ombination of an upper inverted V-shaped with said upper attachingmember, fasten-- ing extension means connecting with said lowerattaching member, and a sheath enclosing said springs, said sheathcomprising a ply of hair-cloth for stiffening the sheath.

" 5. In a device of the. class described, the

combination of an upper inverted V-shaped wire attaching .member havingloops bent downwardly from its ends, a lowerV-shaped wire attachingmember having loops bent springs having eyes at their upper and upwardlyfrom its ends, two helical coil" lower ends, the eyes at the upper endsof said springs bein'g connected with the loops of saidiupperattaching/member, and the eyes at the lower ends of saidspringsbeingconnected with 'thevloops of said lower at taching member, shoulderstrap means engaging with said-upper attaching member,

fastening extension means connecting with said lower attaching -member,the openings into the loops of said wire attaching m'em-- bers beingclosed after hooking the eyes of the springs therein by passing saidshoulder strap means and said fastening extension means through saideyes. the th ckness of each of said last named means substantiallyclosing said openings, and a sheath of pliable;

material secured at its upper end to said shoulder strap means and.enclosing'said springs; I

6. Ina device of the class described, the combination of an uppertransversely extending metallic-attaching member having loops at itsends, a lower transversely extending metallic attaching member havingloops at its ends, two helical coil springs hav ing eyes at their upperand lower ends, the

eyes at the-upper ends of said springs being connected with the loops ofsaidupper'attaching member, and the eyes at the lower ends of saidsprings being connected with the loops of said lower attaching memberwith the springs extending substantially: parallel between said members,shouldersti'ap'means engaging withsaid upper attaching member, fasteningextension means connecting with said lower attachingmemher, and a sheathof pliable material enclos ing said springsand securedto one of saidmeans.

myname this 17th day ofqSeptember, 1925.

ELMER E; PECK, j

.i a In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe

